Spectators and demolition crews witness the Montagu Hotel, originally the 1913 Hotel Cotton, collapse on the corner of Fannin and Rusk as it's toppled Sunday morning in downtown Houston on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2008. (Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle) less

Spectators and demolition crews witness the Montagu Hotel, originally the 1913 Hotel Cotton, collapse on the corner of Fannin and Rusk as it's toppled Sunday morning in downtown Houston on Sunday, Jan. 20, ... more

This photograph taken in 1945 of the Lamar Hotel, with Metropolitan and Loew's theaters, is characteristic of the work of the late architect Alfred C. Finn. (Houston Chronicle Files)

This photograph taken in 1945 of the Lamar Hotel, with Metropolitan and Loew's theaters, is characteristic of the work of the late architect Alfred C. Finn. (Houston Chronicle Files)

This photograph taken in 1945 of the Lamar Hotel, with Metropolitan... Photo-3857775.53545 - Houston Chronicle

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The Lamar Hotel and adjacent C&I Building on Main Street are demolished in downtown Houston, April 14, 1985. (Larry Reese / Houston Chronicle)

The Lamar Hotel and adjacent C&I Building on Main Street are demolished in downtown Houston, April 14, 1985. (Larry Reese / Houston Chronicle)

The Lamar Hotel and adjacent C&I Building on Main Street are... Photo-3857776.53545 - Houston Chronicle

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The Lamar Hotel and adjacent C&I Building on Main Street are demolished in downtown Houston, April 14, 1985. A corner of the hotel was left standing to contain the debris during demolition. (Larry Reese / Houston Chronicle) less

The Lamar Hotel and adjacent C&I Building on Main Street are demolished in downtown Houston, April 14, 1985. A corner of the hotel was left standing to contain the debris during demolition. (Larry Reese / ... more

The Lamar Hotel and adjacent C&I Building on Main Street are... Photo-3857777.53545 - Houston Chronicle

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The Lamar Hotel and adjacent C&I Building on Main Street are demolished in downtown Houston, April 14, 1985. A corner of the hotel was left standing to contain the debris during demolition. (Larry Reese / Houston Chronicle) less

The Lamar Hotel and adjacent C&I Building on Main Street are demolished in downtown Houston, April 14, 1985. A corner of the hotel was left standing to contain the debris during demolition. (Larry Reese / ... more

The Lamar Hotel and adjacent C&I Building on Main Street are... Photo-3857778.53545 - Houston Chronicle

A large crowd of spectators gathers at Allen Parkway and Taft to watch as the old Jeff Davis Hospital Building is imploded Saturday morning, May 15, 1999. The 12-story 62-year-old landmark hospital, as well as a seven-story administration building and smoke stack adjacent to the hospital all fell in about 10 seconds from the force of 600 pounds of explosives. (Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle) less

A large crowd of spectators gathers at Allen Parkway and Taft to watch as the old Jeff Davis Hospital Building is imploded Saturday morning, May 15, 1999. The 12-story 62-year-old landmark hospital, as well as ... more

A large crowd of spectators gathers at Allen Parkway and Taft to... Photo-3857780.53545 - Houston Chronicle

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Spectators view what is left of the Jeff Davis Hospital Building administration building after its implosion Saturday morning, May 15, 1999. (Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle)

Spectators view what is left of the Jeff Davis Hospital Building administration building after its implosion Saturday morning, May 15, 1999. (Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle)

Spectators view what is left of the Jeff Davis Hospital Building... Photo-3857781.53545 - Houston Chronicle

Methodist Hospital made room for their new Methodist Outpatient Center by imploding the 22-story West Pavilion Professional Building in the Medical Center, on June 25, 2006. The new Methodist Outpatient Center, to be completed in 2009, will also be 22-stories tall and will face Main St. rather than Fannin St. (Johnny Hanson / Chronicle) less

Methodist Hospital made room for their new Methodist Outpatient Center by imploding the 22-story West Pavilion Professional Building in the Medical Center, on June 25, 2006. The new Methodist Outpatient Center, ... more

Methodist Hospital made room for their new Methodist Outpatient... Photo-3857784.53545 - Houston Chronicle

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Implosion of the West Pavilion Professional Building in the Texas Medical Center, June 25, 2006. (Johnny Hanson / Chronicle)

Implosion of the West Pavilion Professional Building in the Texas Medical Center, June 25, 2006. (Johnny Hanson / Chronicle)

Implosion of the West Pavilion Professional Building in the Texas... Photo-3857785.53545 - Houston Chronicle

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Implosion of the West Pavilion Professional Building in the Texas Medical Center, June 25, 2006. (Johnny Hanson / Chronicle)

Implosion of the West Pavilion Professional Building in the Texas Medical Center, June 25, 2006. (Johnny Hanson / Chronicle)

Implosion of the West Pavilion Professional Building in the Texas... Photo-3857786.53545 - Houston Chronicle

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Implosion of the West Pavilion Professional Building in the Texas Medical Center, June 25, 2006. (Johnny Hanson / Chronicle)

Implosion of the West Pavilion Professional Building in the Texas Medical Center, June 25, 2006. (Johnny Hanson / Chronicle)

Implosion of the West Pavilion Professional Building in the Texas... Photo-3857787.53545 - Houston Chronicle

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Implosion of the West Pavilion Professional Building in the Texas Medical Center, June 25, 2006. (Johnny Hanson / Chronicle)

Implosion of the West Pavilion Professional Building in the Texas Medical Center, June 25, 2006. (Johnny Hanson / Chronicle)

Implosion of the West Pavilion Professional Building in the Texas... Photo-3857788.53545 - Houston Chronicle